Love Thy Enemy (Red Stone Security #13)(47)

Time was running out and he still needed her as a bargaining chip. He’d eventually kill her, but not until he got what he wanted. Then he’d kill her and Viktor. His brother too, because there was no way Abram would let his brother’s death go unpunished.

It was Ivanov’s own fault, for coming after him first. The stupid Russian liked to hide behind a mask of civility, claiming that the things he did weren’t personal, just business. Well it was f*cking personal to him.

With a trembling hand he dialed his contact.

The man answered on the fourth ring, his voice tight. “What?”

“What’s the security situation like?”

“Tight. Everyone is locked down and…” A door shut, then, “Both women are locked down as well. Both here.”

Here meant Viktor’s house. “I want the woman.” He didn’t need to specify which one. The assistant would have been a decent choice, but knowing that Viktor truly cared for Dominique Castle, that she wasn’t some whore he was paying, made her the only choice.

“Too bad for you.”

He gritted his teeth, forced his voice to remain even. “Two hundred fifty grand in your account if you get her to me by this afternoon.”

The man sucked in a breath. “That’s still not enough for my life. Because he will hunt me to the end of the earth if I take her.”

“He won’t be around that long. Once I get her I’ll be able to bargain with him for what I want. Then I’ll pay you five hundred grand, with the promise that I’ll kill him and his brother. Once that’s done you’ll be able to start over somewhere with a nice chunk of money.”

Seconds ticked by. One, two, three… “I’ll do it. I want that boat of yours too. The one in the marina.”

Greedy bastard. Maybe he’d kill him too. He would tidy up all loose ends. “Agreed. Bring her to my office. Call me on your way. I’ll meet you in the loading area.”

“As soon as I get my money, consider it done.”

Pleased with himself, he ended the call. He’d pay him the first deposit, but he’d never pay the five hundred grand. No, he’d kill his contact first.

Soon he’d have that bitch and Viktor would be at his mercy. Opening his desk drawer he pulled out a little packet of cocaine, dipped his finger into it and spread it across his gums. Then he took one hit.

Just one to keep him focused. He wasn’t an addict. He just liked the way it made him feel, that rush of adrenaline that helped him to keep working longer hours.

Nothing was going to go wrong. Not like last night. With the exception of that snafu, everything else was falling into place.

Once he got Viktor where he wanted him, he was going to kill the bastard himself. He’d make sure Viktor begged him for death by the time he was through with him.





Chapter 16





Dominique opened the refrigerator in Viktor’s kitchen and stared at the neatly stacked containers of food, and bright fruit and vegetables stocked in the crispers. He hadn’t been kidding when he said anything she wanted would be in here. He’d apparently prepared for the zombie apocalypse. Which was fine with her.

She might hate that there was a threat hanging over their heads, but she wasn’t going to complain about getting to spend time at Viktor’s place. The man had completely stolen her heart and she simply liked being with him. Right now he was in his office with his brother and Lyosha, going over…something. She wished they were back in bed together. Sex was definitely as good as her friends had made it out to be and she was having fun exploring it with him.

“I was hoping I’d find you.” A female voice made her turn away from the fridge. Which was just as well—she wasn’t sure what she wanted anyway.

She turned to find the petite assistant she’d sort of met the other day. “Hi…Lucy, right?” Viktor had mentioned something about her being here too.

The woman smiled as she leaned against the center island. A book, towel and bottle of sunscreen were in her hand and she was wearing a sheer cover-up that didn’t do much to hide her bikini. “Yeah. I’m stuck here too until further notice. You okay after last night? I know that you were at the hotel.”

Dominique nodded, glad she didn’t have to lie. It was clear both brothers must trust Lucy if she knew Dominique had been at the hotel when even the police didn’t. “Yeah, I’m good. A little freaked out but Viktor’s place is great if we have to stay on lockdown.” Only because the man himself was under the same roof.

“Right? Listen, while they’re doing whatever they’re doing, I’m taking a break for once and soaking up some sun by that monstrosity of a pool. Want to join me?”

Since Viktor had a fortified wall surrounding his property and extra security, Dominique guessed that was the only reason it would be okay for them to be by the pool right now. Otherwise he’d probably go into super caveman mode and not let them outside. “Yeah, I’d love to. I need to find out if Viktor has anything I can wear.” Or if the guys he’d sent over to her place were back yet with her clothes. Right now she was wearing gym pants Lyosha had found that were about four inches too long and an oversized T-shirt. She felt a little ridiculous even if she was comfortable. “I’ll meet you out there?”

Lucy nodded, her smile genuine. “Great. I’ll see you in a little bit.”